As an avid RV’er, I understand the need for additional storage space. After all, when you’re heading out for a weekend or weeklong trip, you want to cram as much fun into your RV as possible! And often, that brings more gear than will fit inside the RV.
Bumpers are often an underutilized area on an RV, so why not put them to good use? Here are six brilliant RV bumper storage ideas to help you make the most of this valuable space.
How much weight can you put on a travel trailer bumper?
Each model is different, as countless variables determine how much weight you can add to the bumper. Still, the average travel trailer can accommodate about 300 pounds on the bumper. This is just what we’ve seen over the years. Some are more; some are less. Never test the limits, but we’ll cover that shortly.
The bumper on an RV or travel trailer is much different than on a tow vehicle. Just because your Toyota is rated at 3,500 lbs doesn’t mean you can get anywhere near that on the back of your camper.
How can I make my travel trailer bumper stronger by reinforcing it?
You absolutely can, and we’ve seen people do creative things. Some people use metal plates, some add extra support braces inside, and others run additional chains from the frame to the bumper itself.
If you’re not comfortable making these modifications yourself, some companies specialize in this sort of thing and can usually do it for a reasonable price. You can even have custom hitches that will distribute the weight more evenly.
No matter how you choose to do it, adding extra support to your travel trailer bumper is a good idea if you plan on carrying a lot of weight back there.
Add additional storage space to your RV with these brilliant bumper storage ideas.
When you want to maximize your storage space in an RV, you need to get creative. From bicycles to kayaks and everything in between, these ideas are sure to give you some inspiration for your RV.
Attach a flat rack for the ultimate flexibility.
We’ll start this list with one of the most popular methods for RV bumper storage, attaching a flat rack. This is an excellent option if you want to store many different items on your bumper, as it provides a lot of space and is very versatile. You can use it to keep things like firewood, chairs, coolers, and more.
While these flat racks provide ample storage, you’ll need to be sure to adequately strap everything down so it doesn’t fly off while driving. This is especially important if you plan on going down any bumpy roads.
The heavy-duty toolbox for tools and other hardware.
If you’re looking for a more secure option for RV bumper storage, you might consider attaching a toolbox. Attaching a tool box is one of the best RV tool storage ideas, but you might need to reinforce the RV bumper. This is a great way to store things like tools, hardware, and other small items you need to keep safe. Most of the time, we store these items in our basement or passthrough storage, but with a bumper-mounted toolbox, you can free up that space for other stuff.
While this option is more secure, it is also more limited in terms of space. You’ll only be able to store smaller items in the toolbox, so keep that in mind when making your decision. Of course, you can use the top of the box for things, but don’t exceed the weight limit. The toolbox can be upwards of 50lbs, and as you fill it with heavy tools, that weight adds up quickly.
PVC pipes for various long and narrow items.
Another great option for RV bumper storage for those DIY types is to attach some PVC pipes. This is a great way to store septic hoses, fishing poles, and other long and narrow items.
Sure, if you have a standard RV bumper you can usually pop off the RV bumper cap and put longer items in there, but it’s very limited regarding space.
You’ll need to be sure that the pipes are properly secured so they don’t come loose while driving. You can do this by attaching them with brackets. While many will also recommend using zip ties, we’ve seen them snap off too quickly, so we recommend avoiding them if possible.
Bumper bike rack for everyone’s bikes.
When heading out camping, you’ll likely want to bring your bikes along so you can explore the area. Luckily, there are a few different options for RV bumper storage that will allow you to do just that.
One of the most common options is the 4-bike rack that holds the bikes in a horizontal position. Some racks have the bikes vertically, but those can be tricky to mount.
Bumper-mounted honey pot rack.
Whether you’re boondocking or simply camping at a campground with no dump station, you will need to store your honey pot. And what better place to put it than on your RV bumper?
No matter how well you rinse it out, the honey pot always has a bit of smell to it. So, by attaching it to the bumper, you can keep it away from the living area of your RV. When you’re not using it, it securely mounts to the bumper and is out of the way.
The versatile mounted cargo cart.
This is our favorite, and for a good reason. Not only does it provide a ton of space for RV bumper storage, but it also has a secret. It doubles as a mobile cart. That’s right, while it does attach firmly to your bumper, you can dismount it and use it as a hand cart. This is great when moving something heavy or bulky from your RV to the beach or your friends’ campsites.
Storage in the bumper itself.
Of course, there’s another place that is usually already built in to your RV and that’s the bumper itself.
All you have to do is pop off the RV bumper cap and you’ll see that the inside of the bumper is hollow. They’re usually 4×4 metal tubing.
Most of the time, these are great for storing your septic hoses but we’ve seen some campers put fishing poles or other longer cylindrical items inside.
However, it is worth noting that if you are storing anything of value in there, you’ll want to have the best RV bumper caps you can find as you don’t want them popping off while you’re traveling down the road. It would be terrible if your septic hose, fishing poles, or other items fell out on the highway.
There are a variety of different RV bumper storage ideas that you can use to make the most out of your limited space.
Something we get asked for all the time is RV pass through storage ideas. We didn’t cover those here, but we’ll dive into them in a future post. There’s plenty of storage in the basement of your camper that you can make use of.
We’ve outlined six other options, each with its benefits and drawbacks. So, we have you covered whether you’re looking for a way to store your bikes or need a place to put your honey pot. Just be sure to choose the option that best fits your needs and go from there.
